What to Look for When Choosing a Medical Alert Company

Medical alert systems have helped countless seniors in emergency health situations, and with aging trends showing more and more Americans will be in need of the life-saving technologies, it is important to know what to look for when choosing a system for your needs. Obviously, not all medical alert companies are the same.

Alert systems require seniors to wear a necklace or bracelet with an emergency call button that when pressed, sends an immediate signal to an emergency response operator. In most cases, the operator will attempt to access a potential crisis by speaking to the senior through a two-way speaker on a home-based unit or through the wearable device itself, depending on the system.

The first step for an interested senior, or an adult child assisting them, would be to partner with a reputable company. This may seem elementary, but the industry is fragmented with competition. Some marketing-heavy companies may provide low-quality equipment and outsource their emergency response functions to shaky third-party call centers, all in the name of offering the lowest price.

Remember, alert equipment and a reliable connection to a qualified operator is a matter of life and death. With monthly fees typically ranging from $30 to $90 per system, you simply do not have to skimp to get a good deal.

It is a good sign if an alert company has been serving seniors for a long time, and is putting its reputation behind its own in-house emergency alert responders. That said, third-party call centers are not automatically disqualifying, as some highly-rated companies use them. One way to gauge third-party competency is to determine whether they meet top industry standards. The Monitoring Association’s Five Diamond Program, for example, is the gold standard certification for properly trained emergency dispatchers.

Service contracts are another area to explore. Are they reasonable and easy to understand? Are there red-flag binding items hidden in fine-print? If possible, avoid long-term contract commitments in favor of monthly services agreements that can be cancelled without egregious penalties.

We know there are so many options to choose from. If you have any questions or concerns about which medical alert system is right for you or a loved one, contact our firm. We are here to help you.